Closed wound orthopaedic drainage and autotransfusion system

ABSTRACT

A drainage and autotransfusion system is coupled with a closed wound drain. A detachable suction reservoir provides suction to the system to facilitate drainage of blood from the wound into a substantially rigid collection container. This blood is adapted to be transferred into an attached blood bag which in turn may be coupled with an administration set for reinfusion. While blood is reinfusing, blood collection into the container continues. Following autotransfusion, the suction reservoir can be converted to a suction device for blood collection directly from the closed wound drain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the current concern over contaminated blood and the spread ofcontagious disease through blood transfusions, it is becomingincreasingly popular, if not desirable, to reinfuse a patient's blooddrained and collected from a wound drainage site following surgery.While several systems and techniques have been proposed, there exists aneed for a wound drainage collection and reinfusion system that need notrely on wall suction, is more versatile and easier to use by nurses orpatient attending personnel and one that is relatively less costly tomanufacture and assemble with its own portable suction generator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A principal object of the present invention is to provide an improvedclosed wound orthopaedic drainage and autotransfusion system with itsown portable suction generator for the simultaneous collection andreinfusion of autologous shed blood following orthopaedic surgery.

Another object is to provide an improved suction reservoir forincorporation into a system of the foregoing type and which may also bedetached from the system and function as a wound drainage evacuator.

The drainage and autotransfusion system of the present invention willtypically be connected by the surgeon to a closed wound drain. Ifdesired by the surgeon, an appropriate anticoagulant may be added to thesystem through a conveniently located sterile port. A detachableevacuator or suction reservoir provides self-contained suction to thesystem to facilitate drainage from the wound. After blood has beencollected in a substantially rigid collection container, it istransferred into an attached blood bag for reinfusion. Reinfusion of theblood is performed by utilizing normal blood transfusion procedures byalso coupling with a standard blood administration set and utilizing theconventional gravity drip fluid flow technique. While the blood isreinfusing, blood collection can simultaneously continue into thecollection container. Following autotransfusion and if prescribed, thesuction reservoir can be converted to a closed wound suction device forcontinued blood collection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the closed wound orthopaedic drainageand autotransfusion system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 3--3 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the tethered one way valve of the suctionreservoir; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the valve taken along the line 5--5 ofFIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The closed wound orthopaedic drainage and autotransfusion system 10 ofthis invention includes a universal Y-connector 12 for connection to theclosed wound drain 14. Extending from the Y-connector 12 is a suitablelength of patient drainage tube 16 having a pinch clamp 18 forcontrolling or stopping liquid flow and a sterile self sealing injectionport 20 through which an ACD-A anticoagulant or any other prescribedanticoagulant may be added to the system if desired by the surgeon. Aluer lock type of connector 22 may be included to connect tube 16 totube 24 anchored or fixed to and in fluid communication with theinterior of transparent rigid container 26. Pinch clamp 28 is mounted ontube 24 to control or stop liquid flow.

The transparent rigid container 26 includes an upwardly extendingapertured lug 30 that receives strap 32 for suspending or hanging theassembly 10 from a bed rail or IV pole. An internal pre-filter 34 ismounted on and extends interiorly of the container 26 and filters theautologous shed blood flowing into the container from tube 24. Inaccordance with a successful embodiment of assembly 10, the filter 34may possess 260 micron porosity. Suction is supplied to the interior ofcontainer 26 through fixed tube 36 and the liquid collected in thecontainer is adapted to be transferred through fixed transfer tube 38 aswill be explained in detail shortly.

Suction is supplied to the interior of the container 26 by an evacuatoror suction reservoir 40 which is adapted to be releasably connected tothe side of container 26 by a Velcro® brand hook and loop fastener 42 orany other suitable fastener. The suction reservoir 40 includes a pair ofspaced circular plates 44 and 46 connected by a resilient sleeve 48 andadapted to be urged in their spaced apart relationship by internalsprings 50. A fixed inlet tube 52 is adapted to be coupled with tube 36by a luer lock connector 54. A valve controlled outlet 56 is adapted topurge the suction reservoir 40 of air upon collapsing the resilientsleeve 48 by manually squeezing the plates 44 and 46 together. A one-wayoutlet umbrella valve 58 is adapted to be detached from the outlet 56and coupled thereto by means of opening 60 on strap or tether 62 topermit disposal of exudate collected in the reservoir 40 into a bag whenand if the reservoir is connected directly to the wound. The umbrellavalve 58 includes a flexible disc 64 covering openings 66 for sealingthe reservoir interior from the ambient. When the reservoir 40 iscollapsed the flexible disc 64 flexes outwardly to permit air within thereservoir to vent through the openings 66. When the valve 58 is removedfrom the outlet 56, the latter may be sealed off by attached plug 68 toseal the interior of the reservoir 46 from the ambient.

The tube 36 has a pinch clamp 70 associated therewith and an interposedfilter 72 which according to a successful embodiment may be a 1.2 micronhydrophobic bacteria air filter. A transfer button 74 serving as a ventvalve is also interposed in tube 36 and when depressed releases suctionin the system or in the suction reservoir 40 and consequently thecontainer 26.

The inlet of a blood transfusion bag 76 is connected to the container 26by the tube 38 and may be suspended from the reservoir 40 by a Velcro®brand hook and loop fastener 78 or any other suitable fastener. The tube38 may also possess a pinch clamp 80. The top of the bag 76 is providedwith a hole 82 to facilitate suspending the bag from an IV pole duringreinfusion. In this regard, a standard blood administration set 84 maybe coupled with the bag 76 by initially removing the protective cover orplug 85 of the spike port 86 having a puncturable membrane 87 closingthe bag outlet by means of an interposed standard blood transfusionfilter 88 with a membrane puncturing trocar or needle and whichtypically is a 20-40 micron microaggregate blood filter. Theadministration set 84 will typically include a drip chamber and flowcontrol clamp as well as the usual needle and trocar or adaptor to itsends.

In using the closed wound orthopaedic drainage and autotransfusionsystem 10, it is initially removed from its protective pouch (not shown)using sterile techniques. The pinch clamp 80 located on tube 38 betweencollection container 26 and the blood reinfusion bag 76 is closed toprevent fluid from entering the bag prior to blood transfer. Using anaseptic technique, the universal Y-connector 12 located at the end ofthe patient drainage tube 16 is connected to the appropriate size wounddrain 14. If anticoagulant is to be used, it can be injected into thesystem 10 prior to blood collection through the injection port 20. Inpractice, 25-35 ml of ACD-A can be added for every 250 ml of bloodcollected. This is consistent with the 1:7 to 1:10 anticoagulant/bloodratio. In this regard, pinch clamp 18 or the patient drainage tube 16between the injection port 20 and patient is closed. The desired amountof ACD-A anticoagulant is aspirated into a syringe, and then injectedthrough the injection port 20 which should be elevated above thecontainer 26. The pinch clamp 18 is opened to begin collection ofautologous shed blood. The container 26 should be periodically agitatedduring collection to help insure the proper mixture of anticoagulant andblood. If gravity collection is desired, the suction reservoir 40 is notcompressed. If suction drainage is desired, the tethered one-wayumbrella valve 58 is coupled with the outlet port 56. The plates 44 and46 of the reservoir 40 are compressed which will create a negativepressure in the container 26. It may be necessary to repeat this stepperiodically as the collection continues.

During transportation it will prove beneficial not to wet filter 72,otherwise drainage will automatically be shut off. In order to preventthis occurring, the pinch clamp 70 is closed and the system 10 is placedon the bed during transportation. Loss of blood into the suctionreservoir 40 is thus prevented by closing pinch clamp 70. Should thefilter 72 become wet either through overfilling, malpositioning or notclosing the pinch clamp 70, prior to placing the container 26 on itsside, drainage will automatically be shut off as stated. In order toresume drainage, the container 26 is placed in an upright position andthe transfer button 74 is pressed or depressed to release or vent thenegative pressure in the suction reservoir 40. Clearing of the tube 36from the container 26 to the filter 72 may be facilitated by tapping thehousing of the filter 72 with the transfer button 74 depressed. Afterthe filter is cleared of fluid, the system 10 may be recharged bycompressing the plates 44 and 46 of suction reservoir 40.

When the container 26 is full or it is desired to reinfuse the collectedblood, the transfer tube 38 is uncoiled, if previously coiled, and theblood bag 76 is positioned below the collection container 26. The pinchclamp 18 on the patient drainage tube 16 is closed and the pinch clamp80 on the transfer tube 38 is opened. The transfer button 74 isdepressed and held in this position until all the blood has drained fromthe container 26 into the blood bag 76. The pinch clamp 80 on thetransfer tube 38 is then closed and the pinch clamp 18 on the patienttube is opened followed by compression of the plates 44 and 46 of thereservoir 40 to continue collection under suction.

The initial quantity of blood collected may be reinfused by initiallyremoving the protective cover of the spike port 86 from the blood bag76. A standard blood filter 88 is inserted into the spike port 86. Astandard blood administration set 84 is coupled with the filter 88 ifnot already combined. The bag 76 is then suspended from an IV pole. Theblood filter 88 and fluid administration set 84 are primed in usualfashion and air is purged from the administration set 84. Theadministration set 84 may now be attached to the patient access andblood will be reinfused by gravity. Before the drip chamber of theadministration set 84 empties, the clamp on the administration set 84should be closed. In this event additional quantities of the patient'sblood will be reinfused, the blood bag 76 may be left hanging on the IVpole until blood is ready to transfer from the container 26. In theevent, the clamp on the blood administration set 84 should be closed andthe blood bag 76 should be lowered below the container 26. The abovedescribed transfer procedure may now be performed.

When it is determined not to collect the patient's blood any longer forautotransfusion, but to continue to drain the wound, the clamps 80 and18 on the respective blood transfer tube 38 and patient drainage tube 16are closed. The suction reservoir 40 is removed from the container 26and the one way valve 58 is removed from the port 56. The reservoir isdisconnected from the container 26 at the luer lock connector 54, andthe container 26 is disconnected from the patient tube 16 at the luerlock connector 22. The suction reservoir is then connected directly tothe patient drainage tube 16 by connecting the mating luer lockconnector halves. The reservoir plates 44 and 46 are compressed towardsone another and the port 56 is closed by the tethered one way valve 58.The container 26 and bag 76 may then be properly discarded.

When it is desired to empty the suction reservoir 40 that is connecteddirectly to the patient drainage tube 16, the clamp 18 is closed and theport 56 is opened by removing the tethered one way valve 58. Thereservoir 40 is turned over and the plates 44 and 46 of the reservoir 40are compressed until the contained fluid is removed. For continueddrainage, the plates 44 and 46 of the reservoir 40 are compressed andthe port 56 is closed by the tethered one way valve 58. The clamp 18 onthe patient drainage tube 16 may now be released or opened to resume thecollection process.

Thus, the several aforenoted objects and advantages are most effectivelyattained. Although a single somewhat preferred embodiment of theinvention has been disclosed and described in detail herein, it shouldbe understood that this invention is in no sense limited thereby, butits scope is to be determined by that of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A closed wound orthopaedic drainage system forthe collection of a patient's autologous shed blood followingorthopaedic surgery comprising:a substantially rigid collectioncontainer having an interior, a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet; apatient drainage tube coupled with the liquid inlet of the rigidcollection container and being adapted to be open to receive autologousshed blood from a wound and transfer it to the rigid collectioncontainer; a blood collection bag having a liquid inlet and liquidoutlet for receiving the blood transferred from the rigid collectioncontainer for reinfusion back into the patient, the rigid containeradapted to be elevated relative to the collection bag; a transfer tubecoupled with the liquid outlet of the rigid collection container andliquid inlet of the bag for transferring the blood from the rigidcollection container to the bag; a suction reservoir means separatedfrom and in fluid communication with the interior of the rigidcollection container for applying suction to the container interior tocooperate in draining the blood from the wound through the patientdrainage tube into the collection container whereby elongated tubingmeans extending between the separated collection container and thesuction reservoir means for coupling the interior of the rigidcollection container and the interior of the suction reservoir means;coupling means for permitting the suction reservoir means to be coupleddirectly to the patient drainage tube; when the patient drainage tube isopen and the transfer tube is closed and suction is applied to thecollection container by the suction reservoir, the blood is adapted toflow from the patient wound through the transfer tube into thecollection container, when blood is to be transferred from thecollection container to the collection bag, the patient drainage tube isclosed, the transfer tube is opened, suction is released from thesystem, the container is elevated relative to the bag to permit gravityflow of blood; when the blood has been transferred to the collectionbag, the transfer tube is closed, the patient drainage tube is openedand suction is reapplied by the suction reservoir means; when the bloodtransferred to the collection bag is to be reinfused into the patient,an administration set is coupled with the outlet of the bag, and the bagis suspended from an IV pole and the administration set is coupled withthe patient.
 2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein thepatient drainage tube has a free end and a Y-connector at the free endfor connection with a closed wound drain.
 3. The invention in accordancewith claim 1 wherein the patient drainage tube has a pinch clamp forcontrolling blood flow through the patient drainage tube.
 4. Theinvention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the collection containerhas a top with means for suspending the container and, consequently, thesystem from a bed rail.
 5. The invention in accordance with claim 1wherein the transfer tube includes a pinch clamp for controlling bloodflow through the transfer tube.
 6. The invention in accordance withclaim 1 wherein the blood collection bag includes means for suspendingthe bag from an IV pole.
 7. A closed wound orthopaedic drainage systemfor the collection of a patient's autologous shed blood followingorthopaedic surgery comprising:a substantially rigid collectioncontainer having an interior, a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet; apatient drainage tube coupled with the liquid inlet of the rigidcollection container and being adapted to be open to receive autologousshed blood from a wound and transfer it to the rigid collectioncontainer; a blood collection bag having a liquid inlet and liquidoutlet for receiving the blood transferred from the rigid collectioncontainer for reinfusion back into the patient, the rigid containeradapted to be elevated relative to the collection bag; a transfer tubecoupled with the liquid outlet of the rigid collection container andliquid inlet of the bag for transferring the blood from the rigidcollection container to the bag; a suction reservoir means separatedfrom and in fluid communication with the interior of the rigidcollection container for applying suction to the container interior tocooperate in draining the blood from the wound through the patientdrainage tube into the collection container whereby elongated tubingmeans extending between the separated collection container and thesuction reservoir means for coupling the interior of the rigidcollection container and the interior of the suction reservoir means;coupling means for permitting the suction reservoir means to be coupleddirectly to the patient drainage tube; when the patient drainage tube isopen and the transfer tube is closed and suction is applied to thecollection container by the suction reservoir, the blood is adapted toflow from the patient wound through the transfer tube into thecollection container, when blood is to be transferred from thecollection container to the collection bag, the patient drainage tube isclosed, the transfer tube is opened, suction is released from thesystem, the container is elevated relative to the bag to permit gravityflow of blood; when the blood has been transferred to the collectionbag, the transfer tube is closed, the patient drainage tube is openedand suction is reapplied by the suction reservoir means; when the bloodtransferred to the collection bag is to be reinfused into the patient,an administration set is coupled with the outlet of the bag, and the bagis suspended from an IV pole and the administration set is coupled withthe patient; the patient drainage tube having a self-sealing injectionport for permitting the injection of an anticoagulant.
 8. A closed woundorthopaedic drainage system for the collection of a patient's autologousshed blood following orthopaedic surgery comprising:a substantiallyrigid collection container having an interior, a liquid inlet and aliquid outlet; a patient drainage tube coupled with the liquid inlet ofthe rigid collection container and being adapted to be open to receiveautologous shed blood from a wound and transfer it to the rigidcollection container; a blood collection bag having a liquid inlet andliquid outlet for receiving the blood transferred from the rigidcollection container for reinfusion back into the patient, the rigidcontainer adapted to be elevated relative to the collection bag; atransfer tube coupled with the liquid outlet of the rigid collectioncontainer and liquid inlet of the bag for transferring the blood fromthe rigid collection container to the bag; a suction reservoir meansseparated from and in fluid communication with the interior of the rigidcollection container for applying suction to the container interior tocooperate in draining the blood from the wound through the patientdrainage tube into the collection container whereby elongated tubingmeans extending between the separated collection container and thesuction reservoir means for coupling the interior of the rigidcollection container and the interior of the suction reservoir means;coupling means for permitting the suction reservoir means to be coupleddirectly to the patient drainage tube when the patient drainage tube isopen and the transfer tube is closed and suction is applied to thecollection container by the suction reservoir, the blood is adapted toflow from the patient wound through the transfer tube into thecollection container, when blood is to be transferred from thecollection container to the collection bag, the patient drainage tube isclosed, the transfer tube is opened, suction is released from thesystem, the container is elevated relative to the bag to permit gravityflow of blood; when the blood has been transferred to the collectionbag, the transfer tube is closed, the patient drainage tube is openedand suction is reapplied by the suction reservoir means; when the bloodtransferred to the collection bag is to be reinfused into the patient,an administration set is coupled with the outlet of the bag, and the bagis suspended from an IV pole and the administration set is coupled withthe patient; the patient drainage tube having a free end and aY-connector at the free end for connection with a closed wound drain;the patient drainage tube having another end and one half of a luer lockconnector being at the another end.
 9. A closed wound orthopaedicdrainage system for the collection of a patient's autologous shed bloodfollowing orthopaedic surgery comprising:a substantially rigidcollection container having an interior, a liquid inlet and a liquidoutlet; a patient drainage tube coupled with the liquid inlet of therigid collection container and being adapted to be open to receiveautologous shed blood from a wound and transfer it to the rigidcollection container; a blood collection bag having a liquid inlet andliquid outlet for receiving the blood transferred from the rigidcollection container for reinfusion back into the patient, the rigidcontainer adapted to be elevated relative to the collection bag; atransfer tube coupled with the liquid outlet of the rigid collectioncontainer and liquid inlet of the bag for transferring the blood fromthe rigid collection container to the bag; a suction reservoir meansseparated from and in fluid communication with the interior of the rigidcollection container for applying suction to the container interior tocooperate in draining the blood from the wound through the patientdrainage tube into the collection container whereby elongated tubingmeans extending between the separated collection container and thesuction reservoir means for coupling the interior of the rigidcollection container and the interior of the suction reservoir means;coupling means for permitting the suction reservoir means to be coupleddirectly to the patient drainage tube; when the patient drainage tube isopen and the transfer tube is closed and suction is applied to thecollection container by the suction reservoir, the blood is adapted toflow from the patient wound through the transfer tube into thecollection container, when blood is to be transferred from thecollection container to the collection bag, the patient drainage tube isclosed, the transfer tube is opened, suction is released from thesystem, the container is elevated relative to the bag to permit gravityflow of blood; when the blood has been transferred to the collectionbag, the transfer tube is closed, the patient drainage tube is openedand suction is reapplied by the suction reservoir means; when the bloodtransferred to the collection bag is to be reinfused into the patient,an administration set is coupled with the outlet of the bag, and the bagis suspended from an IV pole and the administration set is coupled withthe patient; the patient drainage tube having as free end and aY-connector at the free end for connection with a closed wound drain,the patient drainage tube having a pinch clamp for controlling bloodflow through the patient drainage tube, the patient drainage tube havinga self-sealing injection port for permitting the injection of ananticoagulant, the patient drainage tube having another end and one halfof a luer lock connector being at the other end.
 10. A closed woundorthopaedic drainage system for the collection of a patient's autologousshed blood following orthopaedic surgery comprising:a substantiallyrigid collection container having an interior, a liquid inlet and aliquid outlet; a patient drainage tube coupled with the liquid inlet ofthe rigid collection container and being adapted to be open to receiveautologous shed blood from a wound and transfer it to the rigidcollection container; a blood collection bag having a liquid inlet andliquid outlet for receiving the blood transferred from the rigidcollection container for reinfusion back into the patient, the rigidcontainer adapted to be elevated relative to the collection bag; atransfer tube coupled with the liquid outlet of the rigid collectioncontainer and liquid inlet of the bag for transferring the blood fromthe rigid collection container to the bag; a suction reservoir meansseparated from and in fluid communication with the interior of the rigidcollection container for applying suction to the container interior tocooperate in draining the blood from the wound through the patientdrainage tube into the collection container whereby elongated tubingmeans extendinq between the separated collection container and thesuction reservoir means for coupling the interior of the rigidcollection container and the interior of the suction reservoir means;coupling means for permitting the suction reservoir means to be coupleddirectly to the patient drainage tube; when the patient drainage tube isopen and the transfer tube is closed and suction is applied to thecollection container by the suction reservoir, the blood is adapted toflow from the patient wound through the transfer tube into thecollection container, when blood is to be transferred from thecollection container to the collection bag, the patient drainage tube isclosed, the transfer tube is opened, suction is released from thesystem, the container is elevated relative to the bag to permit gravityflow of blood; when the blood has been transferred to the collectionbag, the transfer tube is closed, the patient drainage tube is openedand suction is reapplied by the suction reservoir means; when the bloodtransferred to the collection bag is to be reinfused into the patient,an administration set is coupled with the outlet of the bag, and the bagis suspended from an IV pole and the administration set is coupled withthe patient; a short tube being connected to the container liquid inletand having a free end having one half of a luer lock connector forcoupling with the patient drainage tube and pinch clamp for controllingblood flow through the short tube.
 11. The invention in accordance withclaim 1 wherein a prefilter is mounted interiorly of the collectioncontainer about the container liquid inlet for filtering blood enteringthe collection container.
 12. A closed wound orthopaedic drainage systemfor the collection of a patient's autologous shed blood followingorthopaedic surgery comprising:a substantially rigid collectioncontainer having an interior, a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet; apatient drainage tube coupled with the liquid inlet of the rigidcollection container and being adapted to be open to receive autologousshed blood from a wound and transfer it to the rigid collectioncontainer; a blood collection bag having a liquid inlet and liquidoutlet for receiving the blood transferred from the rigid collectioncontainer for reinfusion back into the patient, the rigid containeradapted to be elevated relative to the collection bag; a transfer tubecoupled with the liquid outlet of the rigid collection container andliquid inlet of the bag for transferring the blood from the rigidcollection container to the bag; a suction reservoir means separatedfrom and in fluid communication with the interior of the rigidcollection container for applying suction to the container interior tocooperate in draining the blood from the wound through the patientdrainage tube into the collection container whereby elongated tubingmeans extendinq between the separated collection container and thesuction reservoir means for coupling the interior of the rigidcollection container and the interior of the suction reservoir means;coupling means for permitting the suction reservoir means to be coupleddirectly to the patient drainage tube; when the patient drainage tube isopen and the transfer tube is closed and suction is applied to thecollection container by the suction reservoir, the blood is adapted toflow from the patient wound through the transfer tube into thecollection container, when blood is to be transferred from thecollection container to the collection bag, the patient drainage tube isclosed, the transfer tube is opened, suction is released from thesystem, the container is elevated relative to the bag to permit gravityflow of blood; when the blood has been transferred to the collectionbag, the transfer tube is closed, the patient drainage tube is openedand suction is reapplied by the suction reservoir means; when the bloodtransferred to the collection bag is to be reinfused into the patient,an administration set is coupled with the outlet of the bag, and the bagis suspended from an IV pole and the administration set is coupled withthe patient; the collection container having fastener means forreleasably coupling the suction reservoir means to the collectioncontainer.
 13. A closed wound orthopaedic drainage system for thecollection of a patient's autologous shed blood following orthopaedicsurgery comprising:a substantially rigid collection container having aninterior, a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet; a patient drainage tubecoupled with the liquid inlet of the rigid collection container andbeing adapted to be open to receive autologous shed blood from a woundand transfer it to the rigid collection container; a blood collectionbag having a liquid inlet and liquid outlet for receiving the bloodtransferred from the rigid collection container for reinfusion back intothe patient, the rigid container adapted to be elevated relative to thecollection bag; a transfer tube coupled with the liquid outlet of therigid collection container and liquid inlet of the bag for transferringthe blood from the rigid collection container to the bag; a suctionreservoir means separated from and in fluid communication with theinterior of the rigid collection container for applying suction to thecontainer interior to cooperate in draining the blood from the woundthrough the patient drainage tube into the collection container wherebyelongated tubing means extending between the separated collectioncontainer and the suction reservoir means for coupling the interior ofthe rigid collection container and the interior of the suction reservoirmeans; coupling means for permitting the suction reservoir means to becoupled directly to the patient drainage tube; when the patient drainagetube is open and the transfer tube is closed and suction is applied tothe collection container by the suction reservoir, the blood is adaptedto flow from the patient wound through the transfer tube into thecollection container, when blood is to be transferred from thecollection container to the collection bag, the patient drainage tube isclosed, the transfer tube is opened, suction is released from thesystem, the container is elevated relative to the bag to permit gravityflow of blood; when the blood has been transferred to the collectionbag, the transfer tube is closed, the patient drainage tube is openedand suction is reapplied by the suction reservoir means; when the bloodtransferred to the collection bag is to be reinfused into the patient,an administration set is coupled with the outlet of the bag, and the bagis suspended from an IV pole and the administration set is coupled withthe patient; the collection container having a top with means forsuspending the container and, consequently, the system from a bed rail,a prefilter being mounted interiorly of the collection container aboutthe container liquid inlet for filtering blood entering the collectioncontainer, the collection container having fastener means for releasablycoupling the suction reservoir means to the collection container.
 14. Aclosed wound orthopaedic drainage system for the collection of apatient's autologous shed blood following orthopaedic surgerycomprising:a substantially rigid collection container having aninterior, a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet; a patient drainage tubecoupled with the liquid inlet of the rigid collection container andbeing adapted to be open to receive autologous shed blood from a woundand transfer it to the rigid collection container; a blood collectionbag having a liquid inlet and liquid outlet for receiving the bloodtransferred from the rigid collection container for reinfusion back intothe patient, the rigid container adapted to be elevated relative to thecollection bag; a transfer tube coupled with the liquid outlet of therigid collection container and liquid inlet of the bag for transferringthe blood from the rigid collection container to the bag; a suctionreservoir means separated from and in fluid communication with theinterior of the rigid collection container for applying suction to thecontainer interior to cooperate in draining the blood from the woundthrough the patient drainage tube into the collection container wherebyelongated tubing means extending between the separated collectioncontainer and the suction reservoir means for coupling the interior ofthe rigid collection container and the interior of the suction reservoirmeans; coupling means for permitting the suction reservoir means to becoupled directly to the patient drainage tube; when the patient drainagetube is open and the transfer tube is closed and suction is applied tothe collection container by the suction reservoir, the blood is adaptedto flow from the patient wound through the transfer tube into thecollection container, when blood is to be transferred from thecollection container to the collection bag, the patient drainage tube isclosed, the transfer tube is opened, suction is released from thesystem, the container is elevated relative to the bag to permit gravityflow of blood; when the blood has been transferred to the collectionbag, the transfer tube is closed, the patient drainage tube is openedand suction is reapplied by the suction reservoir means; when the bloodtransferred to the collection bag is to be reinfused into the patient,an administration set is coupled with the outlet of the bag, and the bagis suspended from an IV pole and the administration set is coupled withthe patient; a removable plug closing off and protecting the bag liquidoutlet and means for coupling the bag liquid outlet to an administrationset for reinfusing patient's blood back into the patient.
 15. A closedwound orthopaedic drainage system for the collection of a patient'sautologous shed blood following orthopaedic surgery comprising:asubstantially rigid collection container having an interior, a liquidinlet and a liquid outlet; a patient drainage tube coupled with theliquid inlet of the rigid collection container and being adapted to beopen to receive autologous shed blood from a wound and transfer it tothe rigid collection container; a blood collection bag having a liquidinlet and liquid outlet for receiving the blood transferred from therigid collection container for reinfusion back into the patient, therigid container adapted to be elevated relative to the collection bag; atransfer tube coupled with the liquid outlet of the rigid collectioncontainer and liquid inlet of the bag for transferring the blood fromthe rigid collection container to the bag; a suction reservoir means influid communication with the interior of the rigid collection containerfor applying suction to the container interior to cooperate in drainingthe blood from the wound through the patient draining tube into thecollection container whereby when the patient drainage tube is open andthe transfer tube is closed and suction is applied to the collectioncontainer by the suction reservoir, the blood is adapted to flow fromthe patient wound through the transfer tube into the collectioncontainer, when blood is to be transferred from the collection containerto the collection bag, the patient drainage tube is closed, the transfertube is opened, suction is released from the system, the container iselevated relative to the bag to permit gravity flow of blood; when theblood has been transferred to the collection bag, the transfer tube isclosed, the patient drainage tube is opened and suction is reapplied bythe suction reservoir means; when the blood transferred to thecollection bag is to be reinfused into the patient, an administrationset is coupled with the outlet of the bag, and the bag is suspended froman IV pole and the administration set is coupled with the patient;tubing means including a first tube having one end fixed to thecollection container and another end having one half of a luer lockconnector and a second tube having one end fixed to the suctionreservoir means and another end having one half of a luer lock connectorcoupled with the one half of a luer lock connector on the first tube ofthe tubing means.
 16. The invention in accordance with claim 15 whereinthe first tube of the tubing means has a pinch clamp for controllingsuction through the tubing means.
 17. The invention in accordance withclaim 15 wherein the first tube of the tubing means has a hydrophobicbacteria air filter.
 18. The invention in accordance with claim 15wherein the first tube of the tubing means has a pressure release meansfor releasing suction in the system.
 19. A closed wound orthopaedicdrainage system for the collection of a patient's autologous shed bloodfollowing orthopaedic surgery comprising:a substantially rigidcollection container having an interior, a liquid inlet and a liquidoutlet; a patient drainage tube coupled with the liquid inlet of therigid collection container and being adapted to be open to receiveautologous shed blood from a wound and transfer it to the rigidcollection container; a blood collection bag having a liquid inlet andliquid outlet for receiving the blood transferred from the rigidcollection container for reinfusion back into the patient, the rigidcontainer adapted to be elevated relative to the collection bag; atransfer tube coupled with the liquid outlet of the rigid collectioncontainer and liquid inlet of the bag for transferring the blood fromthe rigid collection container to the bag; a suction reservoir means influid communication with the interior of the rigid collection containerfor applying suction to the container interior to cooperate in drainingthe blood from the wound through the patient drainage tube into thecollection container whereby when the patient drainage tube is open andthe transfer tube is closed and suction is applied to the collectioncontainer by the suction reservoir, the blood is adapted to flow fromthe patient wound through the transfer tube into the collectioncontainer, when blood is to be transferred from the collection containerto the collection bag, the patient drainage tube is closed, the transfertube is opened, suction is released from the system, the container iselevated relative to the bag to permit gravity flow of blood; when theblood has been transferred to the collection bag, the transfer tube isclosed, the patient drainage tube is opened and suction is reapplied bythe suction reservoir means; when the blood transferred to thecollection bag is to be reinfused into the patient, an administrationset is coupled with the outlet of the bag, and the bag is suspended froman IV pole and the administration set is coupled with the patient;tubing means including a first tube having one end fixed to thecollection container and another end having one half of a luer lockconnector and a second tube having one end fixed to the suctionreservoir means and another end having one half of a luer lock connectorcoupled with the one half of a luer lock connector on the first tube ofthe tubing means, the first tube having a pinch clamp for controllingsuction through the tubing means, the first tube having a hydrophobicbacteria air filter, the first tube having a pressure release means forreleasing suction in the system.
 20. A closed wound orthopaedic drainagesystem for the collection of a patient's autologous shed blood followingorthopaedic surgery comprising:a substantially rigid collectioncontainer having an interior, a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet; apatient drainage tube coupled with the liquid inlet of the rigidcollection container and being adapted to be open to receive autologousshed blood from a wound and transfer it to the rigid collectioncontainer; a blood collection bag having a liquid inlet and liquidoutlet for receiving the blood transferred from the rigid collectioncontainer for reinfusion back into the patient, the rigid containeradapted to be elevated relative to the collection bag; a transfer tubecoupled with the liquid outlet of the rigid collection container andliquid inlet of the bag for transferring the blood from the rigidcollection container to the bag; a suction reservoir means in fluidcommunication with the interior of the rigid collection container forapplying suction to the container interior to cooperate in draining theblood from the wound through the patient drainage tube into thecollection container whereby when the patient drainage tube is open andthe transfer tube is closed and suction is applied to the collectioncontainer by the suction reservoir, the blood is adapted to flow fromthe patient wound through the transfer tube into the collectioncontainer, when blood is to be transferred from the collection containerto the collection bag, the patient drainage tube is closed, the transfertube is opened, suction is released from the system, the container iselevated relative to the bag to permit gravity flow of blood; when theblood has been transferred to the collection bag, the transfer tube isclosed, the patient drainage tube is opened and suction is reapplied bythe suction reservoir means; when the blood transferred to thecollection bag is to be reinfused into the patient, an administrationset is coupled with the outlet of the bag, and the bag is suspended froman IV pole and the administration set is coupled with the patient; thesuction reservoir means including a pair of circular plates, a resilientsleeve connecting the plates, internal springs urging the plates in aspaced apart relationship, tubing means connecting the interior of thesuction reservoir means with the interior of the collection container, avalve controlled outlet through which air is adapted to be purged fromthe interior of the suction reservoir means upon collapsing theresilient sleeve by manually squeezing the plates towards one another,the valve controlled outlet including a one way valve means includingopenings and an umbrella valve including a flexible disc covering theopenings for sealing the suction reservoir means interior from theambient, upon squeezing the plates towards one another the flexible discflexes outwardly to uncover the opening and permit air within thesuction reservoir means to vent through the openings.
 21. The inventionin accordance with claim 20 wherein the suction reservoir means hasfastening means for releasably fastening the collection bag to thesuction reservoir means.
 22. The invention in accordance with claim 20wherein the one-way valve means is removable from the valve controlledoutlet and is on a tether for securing the one-way valve means to thesuction reservoir means when the one-way valve means is removed from thevalve controlled outlet.
 23. The invention in accordance with claim 22wherein a removable plug on a tether is adapted to close the valvecontrolled outlet and is adapted to remain on the suction reservoirmeans when the plug is removed from the valve controlled outlet.
 24. Aclosed wound orthopaedic drainage system for the collection of apatient's autologous shed blood following orthopaedic surgerycomprising:a substantially rigid collection container having aninterior, a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet; a patient drainage tubecoupled with the liquid inlet of the rigid collection container andbeing adapted to be open to receive autologous shed blood from a woundand transfer it to the rigid collection container; a blood collectionbag having a liquid inlet and liquid outlet for receiving the bloodtransferred from the rigid collection container for reinfusion back intothe patient, the rigid container adapted to be elevated relative to thecollection bag; a transfer tube coupled with the liquid outlet of therigid collection container and liquid inlet of the bag for transferringthe blood from the rigid collection container to the bag; a suctionreservoir means in fluid communication with the interior of the rigidcollection container for applying suction to the container interior tocooperate in draining the blood from the wound through the patientdrainage tube into the collection container whereby when the patientdrainage tube is open and the transfer tube is closed and suction isapplied to the collection container by the suction reservoir, the bloodis adapted to flow from the patient wound through the transfer tube intothe collection container, when blood is to be transferred from thecollection container to the collection bag, the patient drainage tube isclosed, the transfer tube is opened, suction is released from thesystem, the container is elevated relative to the bag to permit gravityflow of blood; when the blood has been transferred to the collectionbag, the transfer tube is closed, the patient drainage tube is openedand suction is reapplied by the suction reservoir means; when the bloodtransferred to the collection bag is to be reinfused into the patient,an administration set is coupled with the outlet of the bag, and the bagis suspended from an IV pole and the administration set is coupled withthe patient; the patient drainage tube having a free end and aY-connector at the free end for connection with a closed wound drain,the patient drainage tube having a pinch clamp for controlling bloodflow through the patient drainage tube, the patient drainage tube havinga self-sealing injection port for permitting the injection of ananticoagulant, the patient drainage tube having another end and one halfof a luer lock connector being at the other end, a short tube beingconnected to the container liquid inlet and has a free end having onehalf of a luer lock connector for coupling with the patient drainagetube and pinch clamp for controlling blood flow through the short tube,the collection container having a top with means for suspending thecontainer and, consequently, the system from a bed rail, a prefilterbeing mounted interiorly of the collection container about the containerliquid inlet for filtering blood entering the collection container, thecollection container having fastener means for releasably coupling thesuction reservoir means to the collection container, the transfer tubeincluding a pinch clamp for controlling blood flow through the transfertube, a removable plug closing off and protects the bag liquid outletand means for coupling the bag liquid outlet to an administration setfor reinfusing patient's blood back into the patient, tubing means beingcoupled with the interior of the rigid collection container and theinterior of the suction reservoir, the tubing means including a firsttube having one end fixed to the collection container and another endhaving one half of a luer lock connector and a second tube having oneend fixed to the suction reservoir means and an other end having onehalf of a luer lock connector coupled with the one half of a luer lockconnector on the first tube of the tubing means, the first tube having apinch clamp for controlling suction through the tubing means, the firsttube having a hydrophobic bacteria air filter, the first tube having apressure release means for releasing suction in the system, the suctionreservoir means including a pair of circular plates, a resilient sleeveconnecting the plates, internal springs urging the plates in a spacedapart relationship, tubing means connecting the interior of the suctionreservoir means with the interior of the collection container, a valvecontrolled outlet through which air is adapted to be purged from theinterior of the suction reservoir means upon collapsing the resilientsleeve by manually squeezing the plates towards one another, the valvecontrolled outlet including a one way valve means including openings andan umbrella valve including a flexible disc covering the openings forsealing the suction reservoir means interior from the ambient uponsqueezing the plates towards one another the flexible disc flexesoutwardly to uncover the opening and permit air within the suctionreservoir means to vent through the openings.